West Indies Select XI registered a remarkable come-from-behind victory over Sri Lanka in their four-day warm-up match played at the Coolidge Cricket Grounds, overcoming a first-innings deficit to secure a 15-run win.
Having been asked to bat first, the West Indies Select XI struggled against a disciplined Sri Lankan bowling attack and were bowled out for just 205 runs. Fast bowler Lahiru Kumara led the charge with the ball, producing an impressive spell of 4 for 39 to put Sri Lanka firmly in control of the contest.
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In reply, Sri Lanka gained a valuable first-innings advantage by posting 281 runs. Veteran batter Dinesh Chandimal anchored the innings with a well-crafted 74, while Nishan Madushka and Milan Rathnayake chipped in with useful contributions of 46 and 41 respectively.
Trailing by 76 runs, the hosts faced another batting collapse in their second innings and managed only 199 runs. Sri Lanka’s bowlers once again dominated proceedings, with Asitha Fernando, Sonal Dinusha and Prabath Jayasuriya claiming three wickets apiece to leave the visitors needing just 124 runs for victory.
However, what appeared to be a straightforward chase turned into a dramatic collapse. The West Indies pace duo of Nial Smith and Alzarri Joseph ripped through the Sri Lankan batting lineup with a hostile display of fast bowling. The pair shared nine wickets between them, dismantling the chase and triggering a stunning turnaround.
Despite holding the upper hand for much of the match, Sri Lanka were unable to cross the finish line and were eventually bowled out 15 runs short of the target, handing West Indies Select XI an unlikely victory.
Brief Scores
West Indies Select XI – 205 (61.4) Kirk McKenzie 58, Lahiru Kumara 4/39, Asitha Fernando 2/26 & 199 (45.2) Joshua Bishop 68, Asitha Fernando 3/27, Sonal Dinusha 3/42, Prabath Jayasuriya 3/70
Sri Lanka – 281 (70.4) Dinesh Chandimal 74, Nishan Madushka 46, Milan Rathnayake 41, Sonal Dinusha 36, Dhananjaya de Silva 34, Nial Smith 4/58 & 108 (29.5) Nishan Madushka 30, Nial Smith 5/30, Alzarri Joseph 4/41
Result – West Indies Select XI won by 15 runs
